Pumpkins are a great superfood for dogs. You can administer pumpkin for dog diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach or constipation. Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, vitamin A and minerals and helps bring upset stomach back on track. You can feed your pet freshly cooked, mashed pumpkin or even canned pumpkin. In this guide, we will study ways to feed pumpkin for dog diarrhea, the right dosage, the best canned pumpkin for dogs and everything else you need to know about this canine superfood.
Which variety of pumpkin is best for dogs?
You can buy small sugar pumpkins or the squatty Cinderella pumpkins. You could even consider growing your own pumpkin for this purpose. After all; organic pumpkins are the best. You can cook your pumpkins and also bake 3-4 extra ones for your dogs. However, never ever feed carved Halloween pumpkins to your pets. Trash carved pumpkins immediately as they can develop bacteria and mold almost immediately.
Why feed pumpkin to dogs?
Pumpkins are like an ‘equalizer’ food for dogs. Whether your dog has constipation or diarrhea, feeding pumpkin can help regulate it. The soluble fiber in pumpkins helps bring your dog’s digestion right back on track and balances out any irregularities. Always keep a can of pumpkin on hand or grow/keep some fresh ones in the refrigerator so you can add pumpkin puree to your pet’s meal.
Here is how to prepare fresh pumpkin for your pets
How to cook pumpkin for dogs – Easy pumpkin puree recipe
Ingredients
- One 3 to 4lb pumpkin
Method
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Cut the pumpkin in quarters. With a heavy metal spoon, scoop the insides. Discard the fibers. Toast the seeds to share with your dogs. (Recipe for toasted pumpkin seeds follows)
- In a large roasting pan or on a lined baking sheet, place the pumpkin quarters flesh side down and roast for 45 minutes or until tender.
- Allow the pumpkin to cool and scoop out the softened flesh.
- Puree the flesh in a processor for 30 seconds or mash with a potato masher.
- If you are using the puree in recipes, you may add the puree to a sieve and let the liquid drain out. Pour the collected liquid over dog food.
- Refrigerate the puree for up to a week or freeze it for a couple of months.
Pumpkin for dog diarrhea – dosage
This is a general dosage and you can taper it to suit your dog’s. If your dog asks for more, go right ahead! If your dog refuses, do not force it.
- 10 lb dogs – 1 tbsp
- 20 lb dogs – 3 tbsp
- 40 lb dog – ¼ cup
- 60 lb dog – 1/3rd cup
- 80 lb dog – ½ cup
Pumpkin seeds for dogs
Pumpkin seeds make a great snack for humans and dogs. They also help eliminate worms in pets and are great source of essential fats, minerals, proteins and vitamins. You can toast pumpkin seeds in the oven but make sure you boil them first before roasting. If you do not want to boil the seeds, you can leave them out to dry overnight and then roast them in the oven the next day. You can also grind a handful of raw pumpkin seeds and add the powder/meal to dog food. (Give ¼ to 1 tsp per 10lb of body weight). This is a safe natural treatment for eliminating tapeworms in dogs.
Ingredients
- Seeds from one-two large pumpkins
- 6 cups water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp garlic salt
Method
- Preheat oven to 275 F.
- In a pot, add water and seeds and boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Drain the water.
- Take the seeds and spread them evenly on a baking sheet.
- Add olive oil and garlic salt and toss to coat.
- Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until roasted.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight jar for about a month.
Can you feed raw pumpkin to dogs?
Yes, you can safely feed raw pumpkin to your dog. It is completely safe and your dog won’t have any problem with it. However, most dogs do not like the raw taste of raw pumpkin. Pureed pumpkin tastes sweeter and is also a lot easier to mix up with dog food. You can also make pureed pumpkin as explained above and store in the refrigerator for weeks.
Try pumpkin if your dog vomits and has an upset stomach
Dogs often eat grass to make themselves vomit. This helps their digestive system and also enables them to get rid of stuff that has caused upset stomach. If vomiting occurs due to an illness, your dog will likely refuse food. Once he starts eating again, you can feed mashed/pureed pumpkin along with some rice and chicken broth. Dogs love its taste and it also helps settle their tummies. Do not force your pet; if he refuses food, let him be. If he doesn’t eat for more than 2-3 days or if vomiting persists, then take him to the vet immediately. For mild cases of dog vomiting, pumpkin can be one of the first foods to feed after your dog’s appetite returns. You may also make a vegetable broth with different veggies including pumpkin chunks and feed it to him several times a day. This will help replenish fluids and prevent dehydration.
What kind of canned pumpkin should you buy?
Many dog food manufacturers are making pumpkin based kibble, pumpkin treats, and pumpkin based canned/wet food or supplements to make dog owners’ lives easier. Here are some options:
Pumpkin and apple fiber supplement
This helps dogs with digestive issues and helps firm up stools. It adds bulk and prevents constipation as well as loose or diarrheal stools.
BPA free organic canned food with pumpkin
Add this supplement to regular wet/dry dog food. Most dogs love the taste and it helps prevent digestive issues.
This is a winning combination of dog treats and can help during training. The calorie content is low so it won’t cause your pet unnecessary weight gain. These baked treats are made in USA and are free from allergens like soy, wheat, corn etc.
You can also feed your pet organic, canned pumpkin (meant for humans) available at any local grocery store. Just make sure there are no harsh chemicals or preservatives in them.